Planetary Assault: What gets damaged first?

[ajohn505]

Hi all. Long time reader, first post in awhile.

I just picked up SE4 again after a long hiatus.

Here's the scenario: Lets say I have a planet with 10 Large Weapons Platforms. No fighters or satelites, just the platforms.

If Enemy ships attack this planet, will the Weapons Platforms take damage before the other facilities on the planet? Also: on the SphereWorld thread there was mention of planetary shielding. I know that there's gravitational shielding, but can you also build something to protect your planets from conventional damage?

[PvK]

Originally posted by ajohn505:
...
If Enemy ships attack this planet, will the Weapons Platforms take damage before the other facilities on the planet?

Yes, all WP's must be destroyed before any facilities will be hit. The WP's with the lowest total damage resistance (from components, shields, and armor) will be hit before WP's with higher total damage resistance.

Also: on the SphereWorld thread there was mention of planetary shielding. I know that there's gravitational shielding, but can you also build something to protect your planets from conventional damage?

Yes, if you're playing a mod that adds them (e.g. Proportions mod) or if you're playing the unmodded game, and you happen to find the ancient racial tech that includes them. However, the unmodded Version is so ineffective that it's almost useless.

PvK

[Fyron]

Units take damage before facilities and population. Weapon Platforms get destroyed before other units. Units are destroyed randomly, though in favor of fewest hit points being destroyed first (but not always). Facilities and population take damage at the same time.

[ajohn505]

Thanks for the quick reply.

I've forgotten how fun this game is. I'm still playing the original Version of SE:IV. How much better is Gold anyway?

For the first time in my SE:IV career, I'm learning to use the various "list screens" (building queue, planet list, etc) to effectively manage my empire... rather than clicking around the map and hoping I don't forget any planets.

[Fyron]

The ability to add stuff to multiple build queues greatly reduces some needless micromanagement.

Plus, there are a lot of mods available only for gold (because they are only possible under gold). Gold is well worth it.

[ajohn505]

Ah... adding to multiple build queues. That has to frickin' rock.

Actually, that simple fact alone makes me want to shell out for SE:IV Gold.